Single reed cell block



Dec. 15, 1953 c. DE GASERO SINGLE REED CELL BLOCK Filed Sept. 10, 1951 3Sheets-Sheet l FIGl FIGS

INVENTOR. CHARLE 5 DE GASERO.

ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1953 c. DE GASERO SINGLE REED CELL BLOCK Filed Sept.10, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGES FIG7 , INVENTOR. CHARLES DE GASERQ BY MM4 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 10, 1951 FIGZZ INVENTOR;

CHARLES DE GASERO, BY 4 zrro g Patented Dec. 15, 1953 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE 2,662,440 SINGLE REED CELL BLOCK Charles De Gasero, NewHyde Park, N. Y.

Application September 10, 1951,

Serial No. 245,917

4 Claims. (Cl. 84-376) such as, due to small cells, difand considerableexpense in of parts.

inferior tonal qualities ficulties in tuning, the multiplication In myinvention the reed holder or block is partitioned oii into a pluralityof cells or tonal chambers, in each of which is contained a plate singlereed or tongue.

drying out, such as occurs with leather valves, and they are adapted toclose without slapping noises.

Another noteworthy feature of the invention is the adjusting meanswhereby tuning of the reed is simplified through regulation of thevolume and air passing through the cell or tonal chamber to vibrate thereed. This comprises suitable means such as a plate that may be adjustedto enlarge or diminish either an intake or an escape valve opening of acell, as the case may re quire, so as to of the cell.

A further advantage of this invention is the increased size of the cellsallowed by the single reed plate, whereby better tone and musicalqualities are effected. Because of the larger cell size the single reed,where desired, may be made wider to produce the deeper tones.

control the stream of air in or out o ,va ve and cell block arrangementin musical instruments of the accordion type.

Another object of the invention is a single reed, valve and cell blockarrangement together with adjusting means for controlling the stream ofair over the reed of a cell to flow in a single direction accompanyingof the invention In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one of the long sides of the cellblock, broken away in part.

Fig. 2 is a view of the cell block opposed to that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section of the cell block taken on the line 33 of Fig.1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a reed plate.

Fig. 5 is a view of the reed plate opposed to that shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of cell block broken away in part.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the bottom frame of the cell blockbroken away in part.

the top frame of the Fig. 8 is a section of the accordion framingintended to show the association of the cell block with the accordion.

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of an enlarged scale of a framecontaining the intake valves.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken midway of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view on an enlarged scale of a framecontaining the escape valves.

Fig. 12 is a view of a typical valve used in the valve frames of Figs. 9and 11.

In describing the invention in detail reference is directed to theseveral drawings, wherein Fig. 8 there is a portion of a conventionalframe end or wall I of an accordion to which is attached a conventionalbellows 2. Mounted in conventional manner on the frame end is a cellblock 3 embodying my invention. The cell block comprises a pair of endwalls 4 mounted upon a base member 5, and includes a top frame member 6spanning the end walls. A successive series of thin walls 1 partitionthe cell block off into a series of cells generally designated 8. Eachcell opens at 9 through the top frame and at Ill through the base frame.

The top openings 9 are closed over by a cover I i which is common to theseveral cell top openings. The cover is secured over the cell topopenings by proper means, such as latches l2 at each end of the cellblock adapted to allow for ready removal of the cover from the blockwhen required. The undersurface of the cover is provided with a suitablelining iii of a material adequate to insure an airtight sealing of thecover over the cell top openings. Here the lining material is of softleather.

A reed plate id is sealed within each cell in a suitable manner,preferably by wax l5. Wax is used for this purpose as it serves as acushion and also allows for ready removal of the reed plate whendesired. The reed plate is of light material; such as, aluminum, and itis provided with a single slot in the form of a rectangular aperture it.On the reed plate is a free reed 18, also called a tongue, which isfirmly secured at one end to the plate by a rivet l9. The free end ofthe reed is adapted to move or vibrate within slot 16. When at rest thereed free end is slightly above of air flowing over it catches andcauses it to vibrate. Reed plate I4 is substantially the width of thecell and located about midway therein in a slightly inclined position.

Conventional means is provided for securing the cell block to the frameend I of the accordion. This means includes the extended endsifl of thebase member 5, which ends are removably securable in suitablereceptacles 2|, of which one is shown, on the frame end l. The frame endis provided with suitable finger valves 22 Each finger valve here isadapted to control an opening in the frame end i which communicates withthe base openings ill of two adjacent cells 8 of the cell block, soarranged that opening of a finger valve will allow a flow of air into orfrom both cells, depending upon whether the bellows are compressed orexpanded, to produce a tone from each cell. It is conventional forpurposes of added volume, quality and blending of tones to have morethan one reed simultaneously vibrating for each note produced,

To control a how of air in a single direction over a reed to cause it tovibrate within its cell whether the bellows are compressed or expanded,

the aperture, so that a stream I is controlled by a two sets of valvesare provided for this purpose for each cell, one a set of intake valves,the other a set of escape valves.

The intake valves are carried by a frame 25, and the escape valves arecarried by another frame 25. Frame closes over the one end of a cell,while frame 26 closes over the opposite end of the cell. To allow forthe valve frames each cell opens as at 24 through to the opposite sidesof the cell block. A frame 25 carrying the intake valves is sealed inthe one end of the cell by a proper material to allow for ready removalwhen desired; such as wax, while a frame 26 carrying the escape valvesis similarly sealed in the opposite end of the cell. Intake frame 25 hasan elongated wall 217 near the top of which is an aperture or slot 28that opens into the cell. Slot 28 is controlled by a valve member 29that opens inwardly into the cell chamber when the bellows arecompressed and which is adapted to close over the slot when the bellowsare expanded. Valve 29 is fiat and operates as a hinge. For this effectit is provided with a pintle 30 which pivots at its ends in side fra eflanges 3 1. Valve 29 allows an intake of air into the reed cell whenthe bellows are compressed.

A substantial cubical extension 32 on the inner side of the lower end offrame 25 extends into the base portion of the cell. Extension 32 isprovided with front, back and side walls 33, but is open in its upperand lower ends 34. A flange 35 about the inner walls of extension 32serves as a seat for a flat valve member 36 which is adapted to openinwardly into the cell when the bellows are expanded allowing an intakeof air to the cell from an open related finger valve. Valve 36 isadapted to close upon its seat when the bellows are compressed. ThisValve also operates in hinge fashion, and is similarly provided with apintle 30 which pivots at its ends in the side walls 33 of extension 32.

The escape valve frame 26 also has an elongated wall Sl near the top ofwhich is an apertureor slot 38 that opens into the cell. Slot 38 on theoutside of the frame wall and which is adapted to close over slot 33when the bellows are compressed, and to open outwardly or move away fromthe slot when the bellows are expanded. Valve 39 allows an escape of airfrom the cell into the bellows when the bellows are expanded. This valvealso operates in hinge fashion and is provided with a pintle 3!] whichpivots at its ends in outward extensions 49 of the frame wall.

On the inner side of escape valve frame 26 at its lower end is anangular extension ill inclined downward. Extension 4! is provided with arectangular slot 42 about which is a marginal flange 43. Flange d3 actsas a seat for a flat valve member 45. Valve member G5 is adapted toclose over slot 2 to prevent an intake of air from an open finger valvewhen the bellows are expanded, and to uncover the slot to allow anescape of air from the cell when the bellows are compressed.

It is to be noted that the reed plate is located in an inclined positionin the cell and that the reed or tongue 58 is always on the side of thecell facing the intake valves. The reed plate divides its cell into twocompartments 48, 51. The intake valves 29 and 36 control the admissionof air to the compartment 56 on the reed side of the plate to vibratethe reed. The escape valves 39 and 45 of air is caused to flow in asingle direction over bellows are compressed or expanded.

The frames 25 Wax [5 in their respective end openings of a cell in suchmanner that air does not enter or escape from the cell except by way ofthe valves, and the by wax within its cell that air does not pass fromone compartment of the cell to the other except over the reed,

'The manner of operation of the valves in any cell of the cell block isas follows: When the bellows are expanded air is drawn through any ofthefinger valves that may be open. Air flowing through a finger valve 22forces open the bottom intake valve 36 of a related cell to admit astream of air to the reed compartment side 45 of the cell, andsimultaneously closes the bottom escape valve 45 communicating with theother compartment of the cell. Upon entering compartment 48 producing asound, and in doing so passes on over the reed to the escape compartment41 of the cell. After passing over into the escape compartment the airescapes through the into the bellows. The pressure of the air stream inflowing over the vibrating reed is baiiled and necessarily reduced, anddue to the greater counter air pressure being forced against the bottomescape valve 45 from the finger valve, the air stream in escaping fromthe cell necessarily prefers the side escape valve 39.

Now, when the bellows are compressed and the finger valve of v aparticular cell is opened, a stream of air from the bellows is blownagainst valve 39 to close it and simul- 29 to open 1t and enter the reedside 46 of the In entering cell compartment 45 the air and passes overthe reed to the escape compartment 4'! of the cell. In compartment 47the air stream forces open the bottom escape valve 45 and escapes to theoutside of the accordion through the open finger valve. is necessarilyselected by the escaping air stream in preference to the side escapevalve 39 due to the greater counter air pressure holding valve 39 shut.

It is to be noted that the valve seats in frames 25, 26 are slightlylipped or turned up, as at 48. This construction is desired as it servesto eliminate slapping noises of the valves when closing which wouldotherwise occur were the valves when closing to strike fiat surfaces.

The intake and escape valves are of novel construction (Fig. 12). Theyare formed of material, preferably rubber, that is not given to curlingor drying out, such as occurs with the leather valves conventionallyused in double reed instruments. The pintles 39 are of firm material asmetal, and are an integral part of the valves. They are moulded in thevalve when the valve is formed.

Another feature of the invention is means to control the as that emittedwhen the bellows are compressed. This control comprises means forregulating the size of the side intake and the side escape valves sideescape valve 39 r 36 shut, vibrates Escape valve 45 to those of theother, the

29, 39. For this purpose each cell includes a fan plate 49 fixed to apivot 50 above the side intake valve 29 on the outside of frame 25, anda similar fan plate 5! fixed to a pivot 52 above the side produced bythe bellows on expanding is the same as that produced on compressing thebellows.

Each finger valve preferably controls a pair of cells, and while theintake valve frames 25 of each cell may be located on the same sidements of one cell of the pair reversed in position true locale of thesound is obtained.

While I have described ferred form of my invention, it is my Intent,however, to claim not only the form of the invention the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In an accordion including bellows, a cell block opposite side of eachcell carrying a pair of air escape valves, so constructed and arrangedwhereby when the bellows are expanded air is drawn into a cell throughone of the intake valves and in vibrating the free reed escapes from thecell into the bellows through one of the escape valves, and when thebellows are compressed air is forced into the cell through the other ofthe intake valves and in vibrating the free reed escapes from the cellthrough the other of the escape valves, a base frame member, a pair ofend walls mounted upon the base frame member, a top frame memberspanning the end walls and including a series of openings registeringwith each cell of the block, an airtight cover common to the severalopenings of the top frame member, and latching means removably securingthe cover over the top frame member.

3. In an accordian including bellows, a cell block comprising aplurality of cells one adjacent the other and each the full width of thecell block, a reed plate carrying a single free reed within each cell,an individual frame member removably sealed in one side of each cellcarrying a pair of air intake valves, and another individual framemember removably sealed in the opposite side of each cell carrying apair of air escape valves, so constructed and arranged whereby when thebellows are expanded air is drawn into a, cell through one of the intakevalves and in vibrating the free reed escapes from the cell into thebellows through one of the escape valves, and when the bellows arecompressed air is forced into the cell through the other of the intakevalves and in vibrating the free reed escapes from the cell through theother of the escape valves, a base frame member, a pair of end wallsmounted upon the base frame member, a top frame member spanning the endwalls and including a series of openings registering with each cell ofthe block, a cover common to the several openings of the top framemember, a lining of leather on the underside of the cover intermediatelyof the top :frame member and the cover, and latching means removablysecuring the cover over the top frame member.

4. In an accordion including bellows, a cell block comprising aplurality of cells one adjacent the other and each the full width of thecell block, a reed plate carrying a single free reed within each cell,an individual frame member removably sealed in one side of each cellcarrying a pair of air intake valves, and another individual framemember removably sealed in the opposite side of each cell carrying apair of air escape valves, so constructed and arranged whereby when thebellows are expanded air is drawn into a cell through one of the intakevalves and in vibrating the free reed escapes from the cell into thebellows through one of the escape valves, and when the bellows arecompressed air is forced into the cell through the other of the intakevalves and in vibrating the free reed escapes from the cell through theother of the escape valves, a base frame member including a series ofopenings each in communication with a cell of the block, a pair of endwalls mounted upon the base frame member, a top frame member spanningthe end walls and including a series of openings communicating with eachcell of the block, a, cover common to the several openings of the topframe member, and latching means removably securing the cover to the endwalls, the base member including means adapted for receiving the blockin the end frame of the accordion.

CHARLES DE GASERO.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

